With its stately trees and regal views of the River Lee and Cork harbour, it’s little wonder the members of Monkstown Golf Club are reluctant to play anywhere else.
Of course, it’s not just the flora and the fauna that has kept them swinging since 1908, but that unquenchable Monkstown club spirit.
It says it all about the club that three of its most famous products, internationals Ada O’Sullivan, Tom Egan and Bob Fleury, were as happy as current star Sean Desmond to tee it up with their fellow members, regardless of golfing ability, as they were to compete in any of the game’s great championships.
Its story began when a group of energetic locals came together and founded a nine-hole club, using Monkstown Castle as its clubhouse. Fast forward over a century and Monkstown now boasts a magnificent 18-hole course, a modern clubhouse, and a young, dynamic PGA team led by head professional Cian McNamara and his assistants.
The club is a hive of activity, having recently successfully hosted Cork’s first staging of the Irish PGA Championship since 1997, an event that showcased not only the classic course but also a wave of significant modern investments.
A major multi-year development programme, representing an investment of close to €1 million, has future-proofed the club. This included a comprehensive sanding and drainage project that has vastly improved year-round playability, with course manager Martin Travers and his team consistently providing a top-quality track.
A native of Scotland, Mr Travers has been with the club for 40 years and his handiwork, and that of his team, received high praise from the country’s top PGA professionals during the recent Brown & Brown sponsored Irish PGA Championship.
Complementing the course is a state-of-the-art practice facility. A new 14-bay driving range, over 300 yards long, allows players to hit every club in the bag. This is supported by a new Golf Academy featuring a TrackMan studio and custom fitting centre run by McNamara and his team of three professionals. The crown jewel is a stunning short-game facility, designed by Ken Kearney and constructed by DAR Golf, offering members and visitors a complete practice experience.
“People’s use of time has changed,” explained the club’s General Manager, David O’Sullivan. “Members might come for just an hour to practise, for a lesson, or for a coffee. It’s about offering more tangible value and ensuring the club remains a hub for the community, not just for a full round of golf.”
This modern offering sits alongside a rich history. The old castle, now restored, dates to 1636 and has featured proudly on the club’s crest since the first ball was struck in anger. The course itself, extended to 18 holes in 1971, presents a magnificent combination of mature trees and cleverly designed water hazards that provide a challenging but subtle test.
It is a club that’s aware of its great history and it is growing in confidence, buoyed by success on the course among the club teams and a thriving membership.
“Not wanting to boast, but the club would be the envy of many,” said Ada O’Sullivan, the former Curtis Cup captain and decorated amateur. “It’s a very, very friendly club and always very welcoming and that’s the constant feedback we get.”
Like many others, the club suffered following the economic crash of 2008, but there are now 1,200 members and the club is striving to keep them happy with what is also a brilliant community facility and an ideal venue for an away trip for any golf society or corporate group.
It ticks all the boxes — great golf facilities and top class dining just a few minutes’ drive from the attractions of the big city or the delights of the coast.
The club can also provide all the services required by any group. Not only is there the offer of manned registration, bespoke gift bags, a first tee starter, player announcements on the first tee and scorecard management, Monkstown can also take care of Nearest The Pin and Longest Drive contests, offer your guests range balls to warm up and even provide a shotgun start.
You can also have a Beat the Pro contest on a par-3, offer a shot-saving clinic to your guests or have fun with Trackman or First Tee video analysis.
With its panoramic views of the River Lee and Cork’s lower harbour towards the historic port of Cobh, the sylvan setting is replete with history and ideal for golf.
They say that to know Monkstown is to love it and with its blend of timeless charm and modern ambition, it’s easier than ever to see why.
